Friends General Conference

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SEYM Earthcare Secretary

Beverly Ward, Southeastern Yearly Meeting Field Secretary for Earthcare (FSE), http://seymquakers.org/faith-in-action/earthcare/, will facilitate a Meeting for Learning at the Miami Monthly Meeting Meetinghouse, 1185 Sunset Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33143-6058, on Firstday, 4 Twelfth Month 2016, 9:30 a.m. 

The Meeting for Learning will include an overview of the development of the FSE position, Beverly’s background and experience, and local case examples of Earthcare concerns and Friends testimonies.  Everyone is invited to share concerns, ideas, and other thoughts on our work to care for the Earth.

Beverly also will be participating in an Open Issues Forum at Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater, FL 33764-2070 (in the Patio Room), on 11 Twelfth Month 2016, 9:30 a.m.

Bio: Beverly G. Ward 

Beverly is a member of and past clerk of Tampa Monthly Meeting. She is a member of the SEYM Earthcare Committee. Her history among Friends goes back to her attendance at a Quaker high school and her interest and concern for our natural world occurred with her studies there in environmental science. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring struck a chord with her.

She is very well rounded academically with a PhD in Applied Anthropology and a minor in Public Administration. Beverly earned a Master's in Public Administration and a Bachelor's of Arts degree with majors in Psychology and Film/ Drama.

She has taught Cultural Anthropology at the University of South Florida, Community Sustainability, Transportation and Society, and Geographic Information Systems and Anthropology among other classes. Her  related experience includes principal and owner of BGW Associates, LLC in which she conducts research, provides technical assistance to communities, local state and federal agencies, and conducts program evaluations, including environmental and social justice. Among her publications and papers is  Saving Ourselves: The Need For Knowledge Sharing and  Other Technology Transfer among the Islands and Nation-States of the American Mediterranean in Response to Climate Change and Other Extreme Events. She is a member of the National Academy of Science and Environmental Justice.

Beverly has been deeply involved with Alternatives to Violence in Facilitator Apprenticeships and providing Advanced  Workshops. She has had a Facilitator Apprenticeship in Trauma Healing in Colombia. She has focused on issues around transportation within vulnerable  black, elderly , and ethnic communities. She has a particular interest in permaculture and a commitment to work with SEYM youth.

What struck us was the way Beverly has woven her education and experiences in such a way that has opened a unique background and ability to create space for dialogue, activism, and negotiate in conflict management.

Beverly was clear in her leading to approach the position of the SEYM Field Secretary for Earthcare (FSE) from her understanding and commitment to Friends Testimonies. She was able to clearly address the duties laid out by YM for the FSE. We felt in unity that she would be an outstanding fit with SEYM and the FSE position.

 

Sunday, December 4, 2016 - 9:30am to 10:30am
Miami Friends Meeting Meetinghouse (Quakers)
1185 Sunset Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
United States
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